The benefits of being a family-run pharma company
The third generation of his family to hold a leadership role at Chiesi Group, Giacomo Chiesi reflects on the lessons he learned from his father […]
Sales and Marketing
After Alexion buy, AZ plans $360m investment in Irish facilities
AstraZeneca has unveiled plans to build a brand new manufacturing facility at a site in Ireland operated by recent acquisition Alexion, providing employment for around […]
The post-COVID future of physician sample access and engagement
Building modern commercialisation strategies requires pharma to find the right balance of old ways and new approaches, says Cardinal Health’s Jennifer Baughman. COVID-19 has fundamentally […]
Vectura investors ignore critics and back tobacco giant takeover
Tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI) has won the shareholder vote it needed for its controversial £1.1 billion takeover of respiratory drugmaker Vectura, despite mobilised […]
EFPIA: Partnership is the key to healthcare’s biggest challenges
The European pharma body’s new Health Collaboration Guide hopes to inspire greater partnership working across healthcare, showcasing award-winning collaborations involving Pfizer, Janssen, Novartis and more. […]
EU ‘negotiating with Valneva’ over COVID-19 vaccine contract
The European Commission is reportedly in advanced discussions with French biotech Valneva about picking up the contract to supply COVID-19 vaccines that was terminated by […]
Valneva slumps as UK dumps €1.4bn order for COVID-19 jab
The UK has terminated its order for up to 190 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by French biotech company Valneva, accusing it of […]
Biogen admits slow Aduhelm launch, as scientists question label again
Shares in Biogen have come under pressure after chief executive Michel Vounatsos admitted that the company is facing a much slower than anticipated rollout of […]
Preparing for a post-pandemic world
Janssen’s Mark Hicken, VP of strategy, EMEA, looks at what COVID-19 has taught us and how we can become stronger as we emerge from the […]
Sanofi snaps up Kadmon and its transplant drug Rezurock
Less than a month after Kadmon Pharma launched its first product – Rezurock for a complication of organ transplants – the New York company has […]
Mallinckrodt moves closer to resolving its opioid liability hangover
Mallinckrodt looks like it could join Purdue Pharma in reaching a settlement in its bankruptcy proceedings related to opioid litigation, after years of legal wrangling. […]
EU, AstraZeneca reach resolution in COVID-19 supply spat
AstraZeneca’s legal dispute with the European Commission over a shortfall in the supply of COVID-19 vaccines promised by the company earlier this year has been […]
Purdue bankruptcy court hands immunity to Sackler family
A US federal judge has approved a bankruptcy settlement for Purdue Pharma that grants the Sackler family that owned the business immunity from any further […]
FDA clears J&J’s twice-yearly Invega for schizophrenia
One of the biggest challenges to treating schizophrenia is non-compliance with treatment, but Johnson & Johnson’s pharma unit Janssen is trumpeting a new version of […]
Galapagos’ long-serving CEO Onno van de Stolpe to retire
After 22 years at the helm of Belgian biotech Galapagos, chief executive Onno van de Stolpe has decided it is time to retire and hand […]
Nine ways to keep focus and boost your pharma career
Oliver Stohlmann’s Corporate Survival Hacks series draws on his experiences of working in local, regional and global life science communications to offer some little tips […]
Appeals court reverses $1.2bn judgment against Gilead in BMS CAR-T case
Gilead Sciences’ Kite Pharma has won a key victory on appeal in its long-running dispute with Bristol-Myers Squibb over patents relating to CAR-T therapies, overturning […]
Vertex’s Nicola Massey: the pharmaphorum podcast
In the latest episode of the podcast Dominic Tyer speaks with Nicola Massey, who’s Vertex’s senior country manager in the UK and Ireland. Having joined […]
Europe has its first Lucentis biosimilar, Samsung Bioepis’ Byooviz
Novartis and Roche’s big-selling eye drug Lucentis has its first biosimilar competitor in Europe, after the European Commission approved Samsung Bioepis’ copycat drug Byooviz. Byooviz […]
Organon Makes Women’s Health a Priority
Simon Nicholson tells us how Organon, a new women’s healthcare company, is working to effect positive change globally by listening to women about their health […]
Alex Gorsky will pass leadership of J&J to Joaquin Duato in January
Johnson & Johnson has appointed Joaquin Duato as chief executive officer to replace long-serving Alex Gorsky, who has been CEO since 2012. Joaquin Duato Gorsky […]
Years after Pfizer merger, ex-Medivation exec gets insider trading charge
A Medivation executive at the heart of the company’s team that sold the company to Pfizer for $14 billion five years ago is facing allegations […]
Novartis says trials back Beovu safety in diabetic eye disease
There is plenty of evidence that Novartis’ ophthalmology drug Beovu can match its rivals when it comes to efficacy, with less frequent dosing, but the […]
Novartis says trials back Beovu safety in diabetic eye disease
There is plenty of evidence that Novartis’ ophthalmology drug Beovu can match its rivals when it comes to efficacy, with less frequent dosing, but the […]
As the smoke clears, Vectura backs tobacco giant PMI’s bid
Vectura’s board has decided to recommend a takeover bid from tobacco giant Philip Morris International, despite being urged by health charities to go for a […]
UK cues up more Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines as price row looms
The UK government has started ordering COVID-19 vaccines for a 2022 booster campaign, including a 32 million-dose order for the Pfizer/BioNTech shot, even before third […]
Carlyle baulks at Vectura auction, but urges shareholders to back its bid
Private equity group Carlyle has said it won’t raise its offer for respiratory drug specialist Vectura to match a 165p per share offer from tobacco […]
Gene therapy specialist bluebird exits “untenable” European market
Europe market has proved so hostile to gene therapies when it comes to pricing and reimbursement for gene therapies that bluebird bio has decided to […]
Dental implant market: Top trends bolstering industry growth
People across the world, especially the population aged 65 years or older, are suffering from some form of a medical condition that results in tooth […]
AZ gets European approvals for Forxiga in chronic kidney disease
AstraZeneca’s Forxiga has become the first SGLT2 inhibitor to be approved in Europe for use in people with chronic kidney disease, extending its lead over […]
Bidding war breaks out for respiratory specialist Vectura
A flurry of new offers by Philip Morris International (PMI) and private equity firm Carlyle has hiked the value of respiratory medicines company Vectura to […]
Moderna COVID-19 jab sales rocket to $4.2 billion in second quarter
Moderna made a massive $4.2 billion from sales of just under 200 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine, taking its tally since approval to around […]
Pfizer, Flynn in the firing line again over UK epilepsy drug pricing
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has resurrected a complaint against Pfizer and Flynn Pharma, claiming the two companies charged the NHS excessive prices […]
FTC drops AbbVie antitrust case, but fires a parting shot at the firm
AbbVie will not be pursued any further by the US government over allegations that it used ‘sham’ litigation to keep competition to its AndroGel testosterone […]
UK fines Advanz £100m for raising thyroid drug price tenfold
The UK has levied another big fine for anticompetitive activity in the pharma market in a fortnight, with Advanz Pharma and former owners on the […]
AZ’s COVID-19 jab sales top $1.2bn, but come at a loss
AstraZeneca said this morning that it has made $1.2 billion in sales from its COVID-19 vaccine Vaxzevria in the first half of this year, but […]
Pfizer hikes COVID vaccine sales forecast for 2021 to $33.5bn
Continuing orders for Pfizer’s BioNTech-partnered COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty have prompted near one-third increase in its projected revenues for the vaccine this year, from $26 billion […]
Martin Shkreli’s $7.4m forfeit is paid, thanks to that Wu-Tang Clan album
The US government has sold off the one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album famously bought by ‘pharma bro’ Martin Shkreli, with the proceeds enough to wipe out […]
Martin Shkreli’s $7.4m forfeit is paid, thanks to that Wu-Tang Clan album
The US government has sold off the one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album famously bought by ‘pharma bro’ Martin Shkreli, with the proceeds enough to wipe out […]
Syneos Health appoints Michael Brooks as Chief Development Officer
Syneos Health has appointed Michael Brooks as its new chief development officer. In this newly created role, Brooks will lead the company’s customer engagement and […]
GSK names McNamara as CEO of consumer health spinout
GlaxoSmithKline has said that Brian McNamara – currently head of its three-year-old consumer health joint venture with Pfizer – will retain the top job at […]
Biogen bites back at critics of Aduhelm after drug’s slow start
Biogen has reported $2m in sales for newly-launched Alzheimer’s therapy Aduhelm that came in below its expectations, prompting the company to issue a rebuke to […]
Roche ‘talking to FDA’ as Alzheimer’s drug moves towards 2022 readout
Phase 3 results with Roche’s amyloid-targeting Alzheimer’s drug gantenerumab may not be due until the second half of last year, but the company is already […]
Ten tips on pharma time management
Oliver Stohlmann’s new Corporate Survival Hacks series draws on his experiences of working in local, regional and global life science communications to offer some little […]
Is J&J nearing the end of its opioid liability hangover?
Johnson & Johnson and the ‘big three’ US pharma wholesalers are on the brink of a $26 billion settlement deal covering thousands of lawsuits alleging […]
Healthware Group appoints Giovanni Loria as chief financial officer
Giovanni Loria has joined global digital health innovation organisation Healthware Group as its new chief financial officer. He will be responsible for the overall financial […]
UK comms agency Fishawack Health restructures creative team
Fishawack Health has announced a restructuring of its creative team to expand client support across global markets. The Fishawack creative team is led by Lacey […]
UK fines drugmakers record £260m for price gouging NHS
The UK’s competition authority has issued its largest ever fine of more than £260 million ($360 million) to several pharma companies accused of colluding to […]
Why pharma needs a revolution in culture
James Dempsey breaks down the misconception that culture can’t be measured, and gives tips for how companies can implement a clear culture strategy. In 2014, […]
Final hurdle falls as UK backs AZ’s $39bn takeover of Alexion
The UK’s competition regulator has approved AstraZeneca’s $39 billion acquisition of US-based drugmaker Alexion, without opting for a broader inquiry into the deal. The nod […]
Big tobacco’s PMI makes another pharma foray with Vectura deal
Tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI) has doubled down on its move into the pharmaceutical sector, following up its recent acquisition of Fertin Pharma with […]
Another hurdle down as EU clears AstraZeneca’s Alexion takeover
The European Commission has given competition clearance to the $39 billion acquisition of Alexion by AstraZeneca, leaving the UK as the last remaining obstacle to […]
Nestle gets closer to Seres, pledging $525m for microbiome C. diff drug
Swiss food giant Nestle has firmed up its five-year-old alliance with US microbiome specialist Seres, paying $175 million upfront for North American co-marketing rights to […]
Elliott fires broadside at GSK in wake of investor update
GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Emma Walmsley was no doubt hoping that an upbeat assessment of the firm’s prospects at an investor meeting last week would deflect […]
Elliott fires broadside at GSK in wake of investor update
GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Emma Walmsley was no doubt hoping that an upbeat assessment of the firm’s prospects at an investor meeting last week would deflect […]
EU and AZ both claim victory in COVID jab supply lawsuit
A court in Belgium has ordered AstraZeneca to deliver additional doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to EU member states by 27 September, although far fewer […]
Pricing, Profits and Progress: Pharma’s Post-COVID Priorities
As post-pandemic recovery begins, big pharma remains in the spotlight. Jesse Mendelsohn, explores pharma’s priorities on pricing, profits and progress post-Covid. It goes without saying that […]
Merck nabs $1.2 billion order for oral COVID antiviral from US
The US government has placed an order with Merck & Co to buy 1.7 million courses of its antiviral therapy molnupiravir for COVID-19, assuming it […]
FDA clears Pfizer’s Prevnar 20 for adults, as Merck rival nears decision
Pfizer has the FDA approval it was seeking for Prevnar 20, the latest update to its blockbuster pneumococcal vaccination franchise, keeping it one step ahead […]
Dermavant raises $200m to ease launch of Otezla rival tapinarof
Dermavant is in line to make some big payments to GlaxoSmithKline if its topical psoriasis drug tapinarof reaches the market, and it has just cut […]
Experts discuss the field force’s customer-centric future
The ways in which HCPs prefer to engage with pharma has been changing for quite some time, and the digital transformation brought by COVID has […]
FDA ends 7-year obesity drug drought, clearing Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy
Novo Nordisk is celebrating the FDA approval of its GLP-1 agonist semaglutide as a treatment for obesity, which it believes has the potential to redefine […]
FDA ends 7-year obesity drug drought, clearing Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy
Novo Nordisk is celebrating the FDA approval of its GLP-1 agonist semaglutide as a treatment for obesity, which it believes has the potential to redefine […]
PM Society Training: Essentials of Pharmaceutical Marketing
Who will benefit? New and aspiring marketers and those wanting to refresh their marketing thinking and be fitter to handle today’s healthcare environment. Topics covered […]
Moderna ramps up EU COVID jab capacity via Lonza deal
Capacity to supply Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in Europe could be swelled by round 300 million doses a year, following an agreement to set up a […]
Novartis halts three trials of Beovu eye drug on safety concerns
Prospects for Novartis’ ophthalmology drug Beovu have taken another dive after the drugmaker reported toxicity issues in a new phase 3 trial in wet age-related […]
Ashfield Engage acquires US consulting firm Nuvera LLC
Ashfield Engage has completed the acquisition of Nuvera, a US-based healthcare consulting firm specialising in patient support programmes. Ashfield Engage and Nuvera will offer integrated […]
Pharma’s post-COVID prospects: the pharmaphorum podcast
In this latest podcast, pharmaphorum spoke to Andrew Meade, life sciences lead UK and Ireland at Accenture, about the trends that emerged in this year’s […]
FDA clears Myovant’s relugolix for uterine fibroids, setting up AbbVie clash
Myovant has chalked up a second approval for its flagship drug relugolix from the FDA, becoming the first once-daily oral drug in the US to […]
EU asks court to fine AstraZeneca over missing COVID jab shipments
Lawyers for the European Commission asked a court in Brussels today to fine AstraZeneca millions of euros for its “obvious” failure to meet the terms […]
Vectura agrees $1.4bn takeover by private equity group Carlyle
Vectura has agreed to a £1.55 per share takeover by US private investment company Carlyle, which values the UK drug delivery specialist at £958 million […]
How diversity can help life sciences advance its lifesaving solutions
Paula Parfitt discusses the importance of workplace diversity and how life science companies can build a thriving, diverse workforce. Diversity, equity and inclusion (D, E […]
COVID jab rollout provides short opportunity for pharma to build trust
After decades of struggling with poor public perception, the pharma industry has an opportunity to generate stronger connections with consumers than ever thanks to the […]
UK competition watchdog probes AstraZeneca, Alexion merger
The antitrust authority in the UK has launched an investigation into the proposed $39 billion takeover of US firm Alexion by AstraZeneca. The Competition and […]
What is modular content and why do pharma marketers need it NOW?
Modular content is an established practice among digital and content marketers in sectors such as FMCG and retail, who are challenged with increasing demand for more […]
Key insights for a successful first-time product launch
Pre-commercial & Emerging pharma companies may not think they have the resources to match the launch strategies of big pharma. But with the proper planning […]
Designing HCP engagement for the next normal
Life sciences companies’ engagement with HCPs has changed significantly in the past 12 months, as the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Restrictions to in-person face-to-face interactions have […]
WebMD buys clinical best practice information firm MGP
WebMD Health Corp, a health information services company, has announced it has acquired MGP, an information provider supporting clinical best practice and implementation of best […]
Sian Hurst promoted to MD of Clark Health Communications
Sian Hurst has been promoted to managing director of independent UK-based healthcare comms agency, Clark Health Communications. In a statement the company said Hurst joined […]
4 ways to embed data-driven best practice in pharma HCP communications
Virtual communications between sales reps and HCPs jumped significantly during 2020, making it more important than ever for pharma companies to maintain up-to-date customer data. […]
AS&K Group makes twin hire with Zdinak and Facco
The AS&K Group has made two appointments, hiring Alana Zdinak as its new sales and marketing director, while Chiara Facco joins its agency brand Remedica […]
Bobbitt promoted to strategy director role at The Bloc
Antoinette Bobbitt has been promoted to executive vice president, strategy director at independent US creative agency, The Bloc. As EVP, Strategy Director, Antoinette will be […]
performance-io adds Jason McKenna as a non-executive director
UK-based performance-io has added to its senior team through two promotions and the appointment of STEM Healthcare CEO Jason McKenna as a non-executive director. He […]
Novo Nordisk ups forecasts after Q1 profit boost
After an indifferent period Novo Nordisk has kicked off 2021 on the front foot, raising its financial forecast after posting better than expected Q1 earnings […]
Pfizer says COVID-19 jab could rake in $26bn this year
Pfizer expects revenues from its BioNTech-partnered COVID-19 vaccine to reach an eye-watering $26 billion this year, catapulting it to the top of the world’s biggest-selling […]
Langland appoints Mike Brightley as advertising creative director
Langland has appointed Mike Brightley as creative director for its advertising section. Brightley has more than 14 years of healthcare advertising experience and has worked […]
Dentsu launches global healthcare agency dentsu health
Dentsu International has announced the launch of a global healthcare agency dentsu health. The New York-based marketing firm said the new venture will draw upon […]
Merck looks at M&A deals as COVID hits sales in Q1
Ken Frazier’s final appearance on Merck & Co’s financial results call as chief executive was a muted affair, as the company reported lower-than-expected revenues dragged […]
Healthware appoints Yannick Valenti to senior digital role in the UK
Healthware Group has appointed Yannick Valenti as digital strategy and customer engagement director out of its UK office. He moves to the global consultancy and digital […]
Healthware appoints Yannick Valenti to senior digital role in the UK
Healthware Group has appointed Yannick Valenti as digital strategy and customer engagement director out of its UK office. He moves to the global consultancy and digital […]
Indigo Medical merges with imc group
Indigo Medical, a provider of material review, medical signatory approval services and medical communication for global pharmaceutical and biopharma companies, is joining imc group with […]
What comes next: digital transformation in B2B life sciences sales
As the contours of a post-pandemic world begin to take shape, those working B2B sales in the life sciences acknowledge that the industry must adapt […]
Prime Global appoints Emma Sutcliffe as SVP Patient Insights and Solutions
Prime Global, the international medical communications and market access group, has appointed Emma Sutcliffe as senior vice president, patient insights and solutions. Sutcliffe will lead […]
EU orders another 100m doses of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID jab
The EU has continued a refocus of its COVID-19 vaccination drive on mRNA shots, ordering another 100 million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty shot. […]
Fernandez and Loveya take senior roles at FCB Health
Consumer advertising guru Humberto Fernandez has joined FCB Health as group creative director, with Anna Loveya joining the company’s market access healthcare agency Mosaic Group […]
Fishawack buys health economics consultancy PRMA
UK comms agency Fishawack Health has acquired the health economics outcomes research (HEOR) consultancy PRMA Consulting. PRMA has offices across Europe, Asia and the US […]
AZ exits US vaccine plant after mix-up spoils J&J’s COVID jab
AstraZeneca is shifting production of its COVID-19 vaccine away from a plant in Baltimore which also makes Johnson & Johnson’s shot, after human error resulted […]
What Is The Best Way to Incentivise a Digital-First Sales Team?
Incentivising people with KPI-linked bonuses is nothing new. Especially in commercial roles it has long been standard. The issue with KPIs is they can be […]
Country focus: Hungary carves out a niche in digital pharma
AI simulated cell company Turbine is just one of many digital drug discovery firms on the rise in Hungary. We speak to the company’s CEO […]
Precision Value & Health acquires Across Health
Pharma marketing specialist Precision Value & Health has acquired the specialist communications consultancy Across Health. Across Health is a leading global omnichannel engagement consultancy focused […]
J+D Forecasting provides Online Team Pharma Forecasting Training
Following the success of J+D’s face to face training, the content has been redesigned to make it suitable for an online audience. The training can […]
Alexion’s Camilla Harder Hartvig on making the impossible possible in rare disease
Alexion’s senior vice president of its international business talks to Paul Tunnah about the importance of “people-centred and vulnerable” leadership, the surprising impacts of COVID […]
VMLY&Rx appoints Nichole Davies as global chief strategy officer
VMLY&Rx, a comms agency dedicated to prescription pharmaceutical companies who are researching and developing breakthrough therapies, has hired Nichole Davies as global chief strategy officer. […]
Envision acquire dDOC, hires Manish Goel as tech solutions head
Comms company Envision Pharma Group has acquired doDOC Corp, a document collaborative review, editing and authoring firm. doDOC enables simultaneous collaboration in the review, editing, […]
Red Havas launches ‘global health micro-network’
Red Havas has announced the launch of Red Havas Health, a global micro-network focused on health, in response to increasing demand from clients globally. The new offering […]
Red Havas launches ‘global health micro-network’
Red Havas has announced the launch of Red Havas Health, a global micro-network focused on health, in response to increasing demand from clients globally. The new offering […]
Havas Lynx Group reigns at PM Society Awards 2021
Havas Lynx Group were the big winners of the 35th annual PM Society Awards on Thursday 18 March, picking up six Gold awards, five Silver […]
Havas Lynx Group reigns at PM Society Awards 2021
Havas Lynx Group were the big winners of the 35th annual PM Society Awards on Thursday 18 March, picking up six Gold awards, five Silver […]
Roche expands COVID testing portfolio with $1.8bn GenMark deal
Roche has said it will pay $1.8 billion for molecular testing company GenMark, boosting the Swiss company’s diagnostic capabilities and adding rapid COVID tests to […]
Amar Urhekar joins Ashfield Health as global president
Former McCann Health veteran Amar Urhekar has joined Ashfield Health network as global president. Following a healthcare communications career spanning over two decades of leadership […]
Lucid Group eyes global expansion with new ICG investment
The Lucid Group has secured new investment from Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) to support its ambitions to be a global business. The healthcare communications group, […]
Pharma poised to cash in on ‘long COVID’ symptoms
While there’s hope that vaccination campaigns may bring the pandemic under control, “long COVID” side effects may continue to affect patients for some time. According […]
Why pharma isn’t yet achieving digital excellence, and how it can get there
Nearly 70% of HCPs are now digital natives, with no interest in going back to pre-COVID sales engagement methods. To thrive in this environment, pharma […]
Guide provides best practice tips on approaching health journalists
The UK’s Healthcare Communications Association (HCA) and Medical Journalists’ Association have launched a new best practice guide on approaching health journalists with a media story. […]
Syneos adds to European team with key hires
Syneos Health Communications has made several senior hires to strengthen its Europe-based team. A portfolio of Syneos Health agencies, Syneos Health Communications, offers expertise spanning […]
McCann Health promotes Dan Carucci to global chief medical officer
McCann Health has announced the promotion of medical director Dan Carucci to global chief medical officer. An expert voice in the scientific and medical community, […]
Tribal Health appoints Niaz Rizwani as strategy director
Tribal Health has appointed Niaz Rizwani as strategy director, joining from Publicis Health where he was a senior strategist. Rizwani will support Tribal Health’s clients […]
A history of Johnson & Johnson
By most measures the single largest pharma company in the world, US-based Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is also arguably one of the most well-known drugmakers […]
Tribunal maintains Lexon’s £1.2m fine for breaking competition law
Pharmaceutical wholesaler Lexon (UK) has lost its appeal against a £1.2 million fine in a case that accused it of exchanging commercially sensitive information about […]
Diana Evans joins Makara as director during hiring spree
UK-based international healthcare communications agency Makara Health has appointed 11 additional people to its rapidly growing team, including Diana Evans who joins the leadership team […]
Onyx Health targets digital growth with new executive director
Healthcare marketing communication specialists Onyx Health has marked a year of continued growth and expansion with Trevor Pill’s appointment as executive director. The new role […]
Reality Check | Is Your Current Customer Engagement Solution the Best Choice for All Markets?
Do your sales reps drive a Ferrari? Probably not. Would they like one if you offered it to them? Probably. Once they were used to driving around in a Ferrari, how easy […]
4 principles for the future of pharma marketing
COVID-19 has disrupted markets and accelerated digital adoption but what does this mean for the future of marketing? In this feature, Grünenthal’s Florent Eduoard and […]
Novartis antibiotic retreat doesn’t stop Sandoz buying GSK drugs
Novartis exited novel antibiotics R&D three years ago, but is clearly still interested in the category – its Sandoz unit has just spent $350 million […]
performance-io strikes multimillion-pound deal with STEM’s Rob Wood
Rob Wood has acquired a large minority stake in performance-io through a multimillion-pound deal that will see him join the specialist online performance marketing agency’s […]
Golin appoints Kat Arnull as UK strategy chief
Global comms agency Golin has appointed Kat Arnull as its first ever UK group chief strategy officer for Golin and Virgo Health. Kat starts her […]
Omnichannel customer-centric teams and the future of pharma CRM
If pharma companies are to live up to their decades-old patient-centric promises then marketing budgets need to move from brands and franchises to omnichannel customer-centric […]
Branding Science opens new office in Germany
The healthcare brand consultancy Branding Science has opened a new office in Germany. Founded 18 years ago, Branding Science has helped leading pharmaceutical and medical […]
Ketchum hires Neera Chaudhary as president of North America
Global communications consultancy Ketchum has announced the hire of Neera Chaudhary as president of North America. Ketchum noted that Chaudhary has significant leadership experience at […]
Veklury rescues Gilead from COVID doldrums in Q4
Gilead’s COVID-19 drug Veklury (remdesivir) is helping the company through disruption caused by the pandemic and patent expiry on two HIV drugs, according to its […]
FDA holds back from action over Xeljanz safety study
The FDA has said it will wait for additional results from last week’s trial showing an increased risk of cardiac side effects with Pfizer’s arthritis […]
3 Monkeys Zeno appoints Avril Lee to lead international role
3 Monkeys Zeno has appointed Avril Lee to the newly-created role of head of healthcare for the UK and Europe, as part of the UK […]
Jazz agrees $7.2bn deal to buy cannabis meds pathfinder GW Pharma
Jazz Pharma has agreed a $7.2 billion deal to by GW Pharmaceuticals and its pioneering cannabis-derived medicines, headed by childhood epilepsy drug Epidiolex. Nasdaq-listed GW […]
Almirall names Nazzi as new CEO after Guenter leaves for Merck
Spanish drugmaker Almirall has lined up its new CEO following the departure of Peter Guenter, who left to lead Merck KGaA’s healthcare unit earlier this […]
AstraZeneca on diversity: the pharmaphorum podcast
The theme for episode 28 of the pharmaphorum podcast is diversity and inclusion in pharma, ably addressed by AstraZeneca’s Rebekah Martin. Serving as senior vice […]
COVID drives a customer experience shift in life sciences CRM
The future of life sciences CRM will be defined by rapid digital transformation and a focus on customer experience – and those who stick to […]
COVID drives a customer experience shift in life sciences CRM
The future of life sciences CRM will be defined by rapid digital transformation and a focus on customer experience – and those who stick to […]
Bad news for Pfizer as blockbuster Xeljanz flunks safety study
JAK inhibitor Xeljanz is one of Pfizer’s top-selling drugs, despite a ‘black box’ warning for blood clots and cancers added to its label in 2019. […]
Bad news for Pfizer as blockbuster Xeljanz flunks safety study
JAK inhibitor Xeljanz is one of Pfizer’s top-selling drugs, despite a ‘black box’ warning for blood clots and cancers added to its label in 2019. […]
Bedrock Healthcare Communications makes double hire
UK health comms agency Bedrock Healthcare Communications has announced that Chris Barton has joined as strategic solutions director, taking a place on the senior management […]
Bedrock Healthcare Communications makes double hire
UK health comms agency Bedrock Healthcare Communications has announced that Chris Barton has joined as strategic solutions director, taking a place on the senior management […]
Bomb scare sparks evacuation of plant making AZ COVID-19 vaccine
A plant in Wales manufacturing the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was evacuated on the advice of the authorities today after it was sent a suspicious package. […]
What does the future hold for Medical Affairs?
“A new medical affairs communication model is emerging that provides greater collaboration and stakeholder engagement” I am a clinical pharmacist by training, but my interest […]
UK agency Aurora promotes Chris Bath to managing director
Independent UK comms agency Aurora has promoted Chris Bath to managing director. In a statement the London-based agency said Bath joined in 2015 and achieved […]
Plugging modular content into pharma’s omnichannel strategies
86% of respondents to a recent Veeva survey of pharma and biotech professionals said they are creating a greater volume of content now, compared to […]
ARK promotes King to client services director, hires Rodriguez as art director
London-based comms agency ARK has promoted Nicky King to client services director, with Martina Germinario Rodriguez joining as art director from Langland. King joined ARK, […]
Pharma digital transformation: customer data expected to play a pivotal role
A new survey highlights the importance of customer reference data to digital transformation and analyses ways pharma companies can improve the quality of their datasets. […]
GSK’s Neale Belson on building trust with employees and society
Pharma’s reputation is currently riding high as the industry comes together to tackle COVID-19, but GSK’s UK general manager Neale Belson says there is always […]
Nine for 2021: Addressing the pandemic legacy
In this second ‘Nine for 2021‘ article, IQVIA’s Sarah Rickwood looks at four issues which will directly impact pharma in 2021: the permanent changes in […]
Tivicay approved in Europe in new dispersible tablet for children with HIV
ViiV’s Tivicay is to become available in Europe in a new dispersible tablet form to treat children living with HIV. The joint venture, majority-owned by […]
Amgen’s Enbrel heads ICER list of unjustified US price rises
US cost effectiveness watchdog ICER found 10 examples of substantial price rises for top-selling medicines in 2019, and concluded that seven of those were not […]
Are face-to-face medical meetings a thing of the past?
Everything, from exercise classes to pub quizzes, went online last year – and medical education was no exception. In their droves, congresses, conferences, and masterclasses […]
AmerisourceBergen buys Walgreens Boots Alliance wholesaling business for $6.5bn
US wholesale giant AmerisourceBergen is to buy the majority of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s wholesaling business for around $6.5 billion in a cash and shares deal. […]
COVID-19 and the digital pharma marketing revolution
The global pandemic has caused pharma companies to invest in digital marketing, as healthcare systems across the world adapt to strict lockdown rules. Once the […]
2021 Outlook: The future for life sciences customer experience
Research from a large-scale survey of 1000+ senior pharma professionals has highlighted the divide between digitally adept companies and those that have been slow to […]
Health strategy consultancy CREATION.co makes two senior hires
Health strategy consultancy CREATION.co has made two senior appointments, with former government analyst Tom Bourne and former TV marketer Victoria Donougher getting on board. Bourne […]
Pfizer drops the blue pill, kicks off 2021 with new DNA logo
Pharma companies are always talking about moving ‘beyond the pill’, and Pfizer’s new brand identity embodies that – it’s decades old pill-like logo has been […]
Ex-Resolute co-founder Blackburn starts hybrid agency Certain Health
Former joint founder and owner of Resolute Communications and Real Science Paul Blackburn has launched a new hybrid agency, Certain Health. Blackburn made the move […]
UK parliament backs EU trade deal, as industry sifts through detail
The post-Brexit trade deal agreed on Christmas Eve has been overwhelmingly backed by the UK parliament, providing some degree of stability – but also plenty […]
The top 5 pharma M&A deals of 2020
2020’s M&A activity hasn’t quite reached the heights of last year’s, where two pharma mega-mergers – BMS’ buyout of Celegne and AbbVie’s acquisition of Allergan […]
Have you checked your brand’s temperature?
In today’s fast-paced world how do you make sure your brand messages resonate with your customers and, if they do, how can your brand become […]
Alexion finally has a buyer – and it’s AstraZeneca with $39bn on the table
Alexion has routinely featured among lists of top biopharma takeover prospects in the last couple of years, and that was a good call – AstraZeneca […]
Alexion finally has a buyer – and it’s AstraZeneca with $39bn on the table
Alexion has routinely featured among lists of top biopharma takeover prospects in the last couple of years, and that was a good call – AstraZeneca […]
OVID Health appoints high-profile leaders as senior counsel
Independent communications agency OVID Health has appointed Niall Dickson, professor David Salisbury and Athena Lamnisos as senior counsel, providing strategic advice and thought leadership across […]
UK, EU agree Northern Ireland medicines, food border controls
The UK and EU have reached an agreement on border checks for Northern Ireland that should guarantee that trade in medicines and food continues without […]
Are pharma’s TV ad strategies out of date?
TV viewing habits are changing dramatically, and these trends have only been accelerated by COVID-19 – but Intouch’s Justin Chase says that pharma is still […]
A history of Pfizer
Few companies embody the term ‘pharma giant’ as much as Pfizer. Here we take a look at the colourful history of one of the biggest […]
Online Live Team Pharma Forecasting Training Now Available
Working remotely can have its challenges, why not get together for a fun and rewarding learning experience and refresh your forecasting skills? Following the success […]
Langland appoints Angela Rochelle to clinical trial diversity role
Langland has announced the appointment of Angela Rochelle as account director, head of diversity initiatives in clinical trials. Rochelle will be the agency’s leading advocate […]
VMLY&R creates global healthcare agency for innovative pharma companies
Marketing agency VMLY&R has launched a new global healthcare agency, VMLY&Rx, to service specialty prescription pharmaceutical companies developing innovative breakthrough therapies. The global VMLY&Rx offering […]
The calm after the storm: How COVID-19 is making pharma more resilient
COVID-19 is proving to be the perfect storm in terms of the supply of pharmaceutical products. But learning how to overcome the challenges of 2020 […]
Alliance and Boots donate dexamethasone to NHS
The UK’s largest medical wholesaler and pharmacy have donated half a million dexamethasone tablets to support the effort against COVID-19. Alliance Healthcare and Boots, both […]
Russian Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine ‘will cost less than $10 a dose’
The developer of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V has pledged to make it available for less than $10 per dose – or $20 per two-dose […]
FDA approves Roche’s Xofluza to prevent flu spreading in families
The FDA has approved a new use for Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) from Roche’s Genentech unit, to prevent people developing flu after coming into contact with […]
Media means business
COVID-19 has left us more reliant on media than ever – both the pharma industry and society as a whole. Havas Lynx Group’s 2020 white […]
Prescient Announces Recent Appointments to its Senior Team
Prescient hires three new senior members to expand its expertise and keep pace with the company’s growth LONDON, November 3, 2020 – Prescient, a biopharma […]
GCI London bolsters leadership with David Berkovitch hire
GCI Health’s London office has bolstered its senior leadership team with the hire of David Berkovitch, who joins after a four-year stint at 3 Monkeys […]
Pharma needs to adapt its communications or be left behind
As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing impact of coronavirus, the healthcare industry has taken centre-stage, working tirelessly and more collaboratively than ever […]
Envision acquires commercial solutions firm Two Labs
Scientific communications company Envision Pharma has bought Two Labs, a firm specialising in commercial solutions for the pharma and biotech sector, for an undisclosed sum. […]
Fresh doubts over BMS’ merger payout as FDA delays key drug review
Holders of a risky “bet” on three Bristol-Myers Squibb drugs are looking increasingly unlikely to get their pay-out after the company said COVID-19 travel restrictions […]
Pharma brands must ‘up the ante’ in their digital presence
Since Covid-19 hit, many industries have shifted a heavier weighting of their business into the online world, relying on e-commerce and digital engagement to counterbalance […]
Divided Congress paves way for drug price reforms on Biden’s watch
Unless president Donald Trump is successful with legal challenges, Democratic rival Joe Biden looks to have won the White House in last week’s election but […]
Could an FDA inspection scupper CVR deadline for BMS’ liso-cel?
Bristol-Myers Squibb posted a solid set of financial results for the third quarter, but shares slid on investor fears that a payout tied new product […]
Lundbeck tops Q3 expectations following strong sales of mental health drugs
Denmark’s Lundbeck has beat its expectations in third quarter results, following a strong performance from its portfolio of mental health drugs, although its newly-launched migraine […]
FTC clears Mylan merger with Pfizer’s Upjohn – with conditions
Mylan’s $12 billion takeover of Pfizer’s Upjohn unit has been cleared by the US authorities, but on the condition that the two companies divest various […]
Moderna banks $1.1bn in COVID-19 vaccine deposits, signs Japan supply deal
Moderna is still preparing for the launch of its COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273 – assuming phase 3 trials go to plan – but has already received […]
Gilead Q3 revenue rise bolstered by $873m Veklury sales
Gilead Sciences is the first and so far only company to claim FDA approval for a COVID-19 treatment with its Veklury antiviral, and its latest […]
Vaccine sales recover at GSK in Q3, but lockdown fears weigh on shares
GlaxoSmithKline saw a recovery in its vaccine sales in the third quarter after a big hit in the second as a result of the COVID-19 […]
10 Tips for Digital Asset Management Success
Given the recent rise in digital engagement and the drastic increase in digital content, it’s now essential that pharmaceutical companies have a comprehensive content strategy. […]
Purdue to pay $8.3bn after admitting criminal charges in opioid case
After years of legal wrangling, Purdue Pharma has agreed a deal to resolve litigation about its role in the US opioid epidemic that will cost […]
Time to change the channel? The future for customer engagement models
Sarah Rickwood delves into IQVIA data to find out exactly how pharma’s HCP engagement has changed over COVID-19, and what the channel mix might look […]
FDA grants full approval for Roche/AbbVie’s Venclexta in AML combination therapies
Combination therapies involving Roche and AbbVie’s cancer drug Venclexta have been formally approved by the FDA in acute myeloid leukaemia, following supportive data from late-stage […]
COVID-19 tests prop up Roche as US biosimilars bite in Q3
Roche’s pharmaceutical revenues have been hit by falling sales in its pharma division in Q3 but a spike in demand for COVID-19 tests spared the […]
Accelerating the digital approval process
The boom in digital tech over COVID means that pharma can move faster than ever – but the industry’s traditional processes for asset approval are […]
Harmony’s sleep disorder drug Wakix gets US label extension
Harmony Biosciences has scored an expanded use for its Wakix narcolepsy drug to include cataplexy – a symptom of the sleep disorder that can cause […]
Pharma’s response to COVID: GSK
A few months into the pandemic, the world is now moving beyond managing the crisis, with more focus on addressing the collateral damages and shaping […]
Pharma’s digital transformation journey and the role of customer reference data
Better management of customer data could help pharmaceutical companies’ digital transformation, according to Veeva’s Rebecca Silver. pharmaphorum’s Richard Staines spoke to her about how the […]
J&J settles 1,000 talc lawsuits for $100m+; report
Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay more than $100 million to settle over 1,000 lawsuits that allege the company’s Baby Powder talc products caused […]
W2O acquires health policy consulting firm Discern Health
W2O has bought US health economics and outcomes research company Discern Health, marking its sixth acquisition in less than a year. The move will give […]
Teva charged in US price-fixing investigation
The US Department of Justice has charged Teva with conspiring with other pharma companies to fix prices for generic drugs. According to an indictment filed […]
Behind the scenes of the new ABPI Code of Practice
For over 60 years the ABPI Code of Practice has been key to the UK industry’s self-regulation, and now, as pharma is experiencing its most […]
Takeda agrees $2.3bn sale of Japanese consumer health unit
Takeda has joined the ranks of big pharma companies jettisoning consumer health businesses in order to concentrate on higher-margin prescription drugs. The drugmaker is divesting […]
Merck makes communications leadership change
German pharmaceutical company Merck has appointed Thomas Möller as its new head of group communications. Most recently responsible for corporate communications, Möller has worked at […]
UK doctors call for tighter rules on coronavirus antibody tests
Doctors have called for rules to be tightened on coronavirus antibody tests in the UK amid fears that false readings could put the public at […]
Creative agency woolley pau regains independence after buyout
Healthcare marketing agency woolley pau has gone back to its independent roots following a management buyout by three of its senior team. Ed Shorthose, managing […]
Teva shares slide as it faces illegal kickback charges from US government
Shares in Teva were down sharply this week after the US Department of Justice filed a complaint that the company paid illegal kickbacks to patient […]
Regeneron recruits Roche to make COVID-19 antibody drug REGN-COV2
Roche has agreed to help Regeneron manufacture its COVID-19 antibody cocktail REGN-COV2, which started late-stage clinical testing a few weeks ago, in a deal that […]
Pharma improves HCP engagement during COVID-19 – report
Pharma companies have improved how they engage with healthcare providers as a result of COVID-19, according to a new survey of HCPs. This has resulted […]
Roche takes on Alexion as FDA approves satralizumab in NMOSD
The FDA has approved Roche’s satralizumab for the rare autoimmune disorder Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), under the brand name Enspryng. Roche is taking on […]
Cello Health acquired for £182m by private equity firm
Cello Health has been acquired by Arsenal Capital Partners, a private equity firm investing in healthcare and industrials companies. Arsenal said the £181.8 million deal […]
What can pharma marketing learn from other regulated industries?
The financial world, like the pharmaceutical industry, must operate within a tightly-defined regulatory environment, and in doing so has proved adept at connecting with its […]
EU places firm order for AZ/Oxford Uni’s ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccine
The European Commission has placed its first advance order for a coronavirus vaccine, snapping up 300 million doses of AstraZeneca’s ChAdOx1 candidate developed by the […]
Emotional empathy is driving brand equity
How the COVID-19 pandemic is forging pharmaceutical brands into better shape. Day by day it becomes clearer that some brands are coming through the pandemic […]
Anger at US deal for Moderna’s ‘taxpayer-funded’ COVID-19 vaccine
The US government has signed another big coronavirus vaccine supply deal, snapping up 100 million doses of Moderna’s mRNA jab for a little over $1.5 […]
Intouch Group hires Susan Perlbachs as chief creative officer
Intouch Group has announced the hire of Susan Perlbachs as its chief creative officer (CCO). As CCO, Perlbachs will be responsible for creative leadership across all Intouch Group affiliates, […]
Novo Nordisk: Prevention, digital tools and collaboration to define the future of diabetes
In our latest UK Leaders article Pinder Sahota, UK general manager at Novo Nordisk, tells us how he hopes to bring the NHS and pharma […]
Bad behaviour: why understanding human behaviour can improve outcomes
Why did I do that? A common question I often ask myself after opening the biscuit packet for the third time in an hour. Only […]
Pharma’s rep soars on back of COVID-19, says FutureBrand
The perception of pharma and medical product companies has surged forward since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they still lie mostly outside the […]
Bayer slides on €9.5bn loss caused by litigation, COVID-19 impact
Bayer counted the cost of its expensive Roundup weedkiller settlement in the second quarter with a €9.5 billion net loss made worse by lower sales […]
Preparing for an influx of cell and gene therapy approvals
Cell and gene therapies offer some of the most groundbreaking advancements in patient care the pharma industry has ever seen. However, to fully realise the […]
Novartis, company culture and COVID-19: the pharmaphorum podcast
Novartis’ Steven Baert joined the pharmaphorum podcast for episode 22 to discuss how COVID-19 will change the face of company culture, now and in the […]
Next wave: how pharma analytics can be improved with new technologies
Pharmaceutical companies have always had access to a steady stream of data to look at what has happened in the past and to try to […]
After final $600M opioid settlement, Indivior looks to the future
UK drugmaker Indivior looks finally to have put years of uncertainty over its exposure to opioid litigation in the US behind it, after agreeing a […]
Country focus: Iraq’s pharma industry sees upward trajectory
After decades of turmoil, Iraq’s healthcare sector is growing fast – but the country still holds some unique challenges for companies looking to enter its […]
BCW promotes Catherine Keddie and Tamsin Tierney
BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe) has bolstered its healthcare leadership team, promoting Catherine Keddie and Tamsin Tierney to new roles. Keddie (pictured above left) becomes […]
UK pharma resilient in 2Q, despite pandemic fallout
UK manufacturing exports fell sharply during the second quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic gathered pace, but pharma and healthcare products were much less affected, says […]
How modular content provides ‘light-speed’ review and boosts engagement
Twenty-first century communications are fast, personalised and multi-channel – all of which can seem diametrically opposed to the heavily-regulated world of the pharmaceutical industry. But […]
MSD’s David Peacock on moving UK healthcare forward
David Peacock has worked across the world for MSD and other companies, and has now taken the helm of MSD’s UK & Ireland operations. In […]
Healthware launches global resource hub for COVID-19’s ‘new normal’
Healthware has launched a new online resource that aggregates information and analysis on how to respond to the huge changes COVID-19 has wrought across life […]
Moderna’s $37B market cap is too high, despite COVID-19 vaccine; analyst
JP Morgan has downgraded its valuation of Moderna, saying its $37 billion market cap is way too high even if its COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273 succeeds […]
The enduring innovation and behaviour changes from COVID-19
The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the shift to a more resilient, agile and innovative digitally-enabled world within healthcare and pharma. But the best companies are […]
Jo Spadaccino joins healthcare comms agency ZPB as a partner
PR agency ZPB has appointed Jo Spadaccino as a partner to help realise its ambition of offering an integrated market strategy for the pharma, healthcare […]
Alnylam’s Anant Murthy on making it as a US biotech in Europe
Alnylam’s European head of market access and GM of mid-size markets, Anant Murthy, shares his perspective on how a US biotech can adapt to the […]
Urgent vacancy at Mankind
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